The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-16
DENOUNCINGT HEPRESIDFNT
Indiana Soldiers Vigorously Condemn
Cleveland'S Pension Bill VetOes.
Adoption of a Resolution Urging the Legislat-
ure to Appropriate $500, 600 for Soldiers
Monumental Comrade Denounced.


Hall, had over three hundred old soldiers in at
tendance The president, Gen. Tom Bennett,
of Richmond, after calling the meeting 20 order
made brief speech, in which he advocated as
reasonable and just their demand for So month
for every Union soldier with honorable dis
charge who in the years 1s61-1s6o had served
sixty daysor more, regardless of disability. lie
spoke of President Cieveland's vetoes of pension
bills. and his scathine remarks in regard to the
action of the President were received with ap-
Dlause.
Ho was followed by Gen. Alvin p Hovey,
who showed the cost OF maintaining standing
armies in Europe, while the United States had
almost standing army at all, the country de-
pending upon the patriotism of her sons. who,
call, would come together, more powerful
nrmy than any country in the world could mar
shall He compared President Cleveland's ac-
ton in vetoing soldiers pension bills with the
address of the first President Of the United
States, George Washington, who in 1883,
recommended that every Continental soldier
should be pensioned. He said he did not be-
grudge the Mexican veterans their pen
sions. but he believed that the reason
the Presiden. signed that bill readily was that
three fourths Of the Mexican veterans are in the
South and that fourths of the soldiers who
fought for the Union were to-day in the South it
would be highly probable that there would be no
trouble about pensions.
The secretary, C. A. Power, of Terre Haute,
and the treasurer, M. c. Rankin, of the same
city, made reports. Gil r. Stormont of Prince
ton, who was chosen president for the ensuing
year by reclamation, made brief speech
taking the chair
6. w. Miller. of Terre Haute, presented reso-
luton, which was adopted. demanding from Con-
gress that they put upon it's immediate passage
the bill granting So month pension to every
honorably discharged soldier
Gen Tom Bennett, of Richmond, then pre-
sented resolution requesting lndianas Senator's
and Representatives TO vote for the dependent
soldiers pension bill over the veto of the Presi-
dent of the United States.
The resolution received with the greatest
applause and enthusiasm There were cries Of
That's good!' THAT means business and the
resolution went through with o rising vote and
three chsera
The following resolution was also passed:
Resolved That it is the sense of this meeting en-
bracing as it does soldiers present from every
gressional district in the State of Indiana and
mnding the members of the General Assembly of the
pledges made in their last State platforms in favor of
the building of State soldiers and sailors
that we call upon them to fulfill their pledges
and respectfully memoriaze your honorable body to
unite in making appropriation of not less than
$500 200 to be expended in erecting State soldiers
and sailors monument, memorial hall. in Circle
Park at the city of Indianapolis that will fifty com
meInorate the names and patriotism of Indianas dead
who gave their lives in the late that the Nation
might live. and request that such monument.
mortal hall may be determined upon by the
missioners appointed under the bin before the
Legislature shall be of such character and proportions
will reflect credit upon the State Of Indiana and
forever stand teacher of loyalty love of country
and patriotism to future generations.
The following was also adopted:
Whereas, At the last national encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic at San francisco, do
not believe fair and honest expression hermit
ted in consequence of the appointment by Past Com
N tn n A ado one
Rierce Of Massachusetts, to the Craftsmanship of the
committees resolutions, who known to be an
opponent of the service pension movement. and who
voted in committee against favorable report of the
encamp,nent in defiance of positive instructions from
the department prnent of Massachusetts to al
it's delegates to vote for the adoption Of servcepen
sion law
Resolved That we denounce and condemn such
acts violation Of the obligations of true comrade
ship, and act of treason and injustice toward
surviving soldiers Of 1906 struggling to obtain
the passage of simple act OF justice BY Congress-
Resolved That the orders issued BY the past
commander n-chef of tho G. A. r., forbiddng it's
nacrnbers to petition Congress direct upon pension
matters. is q fragrant outrage, and an ATTEMPTED
usurpaton of the rights and privileges of every sol
ment, that every soldier and citizen should denounce
and condemn.
Resolved, That especially tender our thanks to
nett of Indiana, at San Francisco. and voted for
measure of simple justice in favor of surviving
comrades. and especially pledge all delegates to the
next national encanpnent in favor of this measure of
Justice our support and encouragement
Resolutions OF thanks were passed to members
in Congress. comrades FL. B. Lowering, OF Massa-
chusetts; j. r. Thomas, of Illinois; James T.
Johnston, of Indiana: Frank Wolford, of Ken
lucky, and Joseph Lyman and James B. Weaver,
of Iowa, Ion tho measur es Introduced into
Congress and supported by them in favor of
simple justice to the soldier; and also to James
T. Johnston, Capt James B. White and Gen.
Alvin P. Hovey members Of Congress elect, for
their efforts in behalf Of the soldier. The reso-
lutions in vigorous language, wen. on to de-
for tha a
cast upon the character of their surviving COM
rades as to their truth and veracity in his last
and previous veto messages of pension bills.
resolution was also passed declaring that an
honest settlement for the service rendered has
never been accorded the men who saved the Ma
tons life and gave title and value to all its
wealth, and that so long as there remains in the
statutes of the United States but one rating
against the money -loaner, and 131 ratings against
the soldier who lent life-the government and
Congress of the United will stand justly charged
before the world and in history as dishonest with
it's defenders in the late war for the Union.
The following were chosen as committee to
attend the national convention to be held in Chi
cage for the purpose of forming an organization
similar to the one in this State:
FIRST Districts NJ Holcomb Fort Branch.
Seconds. b. A. Gender, Orleans.
Third-Benj. F. Walker, New Albany.
FOURTH. B. Lewis, Lewis T. O.. Switzerandeounty.
Fifth--David f.. BEEN, Spencer.
sixth--Joseph 3 Allen, Richmond
SEVENTH, 7. Wilson indianapolis.
Efghth---M y RANKIN, Ierre Haute.
N,nth--W. Fl. Hart Frankfort.
Tenth Louis Gross Elkhart
Eleventh-W f. Daily Peru
Tweifth-P. p. Miner, Lagrange.
fhirteenth--C. +. Masier Bristol.
AT Large-Gen. Tom Bennett and G. A. Power.
Ossesrs for the ensuing year were elected q,
follows
Presaent-Gilbert r. Storrnont, Princeton.
Internationally T. Daily, Peru.
Secretary-C A. Power Terre Haute.
Treasurer--M. g. Rankin, Terre Haute.
The convention adjourned to meet in this cit
next year on the dav Immediately preceding tn